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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#209: Road Trippin'

The open road is a beacon of possibility. Who knows what you’ll discover as you navigate across boundaries, familiar and unfamiliar: maybe it’s the world’s biggest ball of twine, a hidden gem of a diner, or a new truth about yourself. Whatever it may be, a road trip provides the opportunity to indulge your curiosity, going wherever the wind may blow you. There’s no limits or obstacles, only what you’re willing to do.

After all, road trips are hardly ever about the destination. The journey is what matters most, and what you discover along the way, whether you're taking a vacation or setting out into the unknown. This week, we want to explore those unique feelings that only a good, long road trip can conjure.

This week's prompts

Set your entire story in a car.

Dramatic – 96 stories

Write about two strangers who are both heading to the same destination and agree to do a long distance drive together.

Character – 32 stories

Write a story about someone going on a life-changing journey.

Adventure – 57 stories

Write a story about someone getting lost, but discovering something they didn’t expect along the way.

Dramatic – 35 stories

Start your story with someone walking into a gas station.

Dialogue – 53 stories

Stories

“Two Passing Strangers” by JOHN SIKO

Submitted to Contest #209

TWO PASSING STRANGERS In the back of the deuce-and-a-half mud-covered truck sat twelve members of Able company of the Third Infantry Division. They are tired, dirty, hungry, and need a shower. One of the tired and dirty GIs was Stanley Dombrowski, a draftee from the south side of Chicago. This group returns from a ten-day skirmish with Charlie in a delta rice paddy. Stan is not only returning from the battle but is returning from his yearlong tour of duty in Nam. He had just survived the last of many such battles in t...

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“Seaside” by Ben Buchan

Submitted to Contest #209

Trust of people began, of course, as a trust of adults, and ended, of course, as the same. Parents, unconditional, friends and teachers, warier but natural nonetheless, strangers, programmed out of us – they were different, we were told, not to be believed, but the instilling of that suspicion just cemented our confidence that the first groups could always be relied on. My trust of adults crumbled on the same day I also lost reliance on my imagination’s accuracy. Perhaps that was the harder loss, as words could now float into my head and mea...

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“On Edge and Overjoyed ” by Karin Eriksson

Submitted to Contest #209

"I'm headed for Montana. I'm going to hike the National Glacier Park. It's something I've always wanted to do." My 24 yr old son Chris excitedly revealed in his weekly update phone call to me. "Wait. What?" I replied in a state of disbelief.Did I hear him right? If this was a long-time dream, how come this is the first I am hearing about it? Shouldn't a mother intuitively know their children's hopes and dreams? Why was I left out of this vital loop? I didn't even know that he hiked. Where had I been all this time? ...

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“THOUSAND MILE JOURNEY TO REDEMPTION” by Melinda Madrigal

Submitted to Contest #209

These AA meetings are not working. The temptation is still within me. I miss the feeling of getting high. I miss the cold hard liquor. I miss it all. I promised my daughter I would go to the meetings and get better. My daughter is my world. I broke her heart. I broke the promise I made to my sweet girl Violet. She caught me drinking. I didn't have any words to say to Violet. Violet left home that day. She never returned. I don't think she's ever coming back. Everything that has happened is my fault. I can't take back what I did. Violet i...

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“Embarkation” by Leland Mesford

Submitted to Contest #209

EmbarkationUber Airporter wasn't going to be at our doorstep for another ten long, boring minutes. My mom and dad had me outside of the house and at the curb waiting, because they were being overly cautious. Everyone knew that if you got on the app, you could see moment by moment real-time location updates on your Uber driver. I'd told them so. It hadn't been enough though. The Uber driver would come to your door too. Everybody knew that, too. My parents wouldn't listen to me though.There was no place to sit on the sidewalk in front of our ...

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“Not Now but Soon” by Dafna Flieg

Submitted to Contest #209

I want to pick up where Holden left off. In his mental state and more, I wish I had a room to lay out for a while. I have more than a room, I have a house and a yard too but it isn’t mine and they’re watching. You can't relax well when people are watching or “watching” you. It just makes you sweat. He’s my best friend, after El. I try to do more good than bad. I think that’s what life is about. I may have just figured it out. I cracked the code. But this leaves only one conclusion which is that you’re bound to do both. I’ve reached a point i...

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“Moments: Where Worlds Fall Apart” by Brandon Langston

Submitted to Contest #209

Charlie Westphal was back in New Orleans. He’d visited his friend Michael there last summer and left a piece of his heart in the city. Six months later Michael invited him to come find it during New Orleans’ famous holiday season, Mardi Gras. Michael picked up Charlie from the airport and dropped him off at his house, which sat just above Tulane University on a very busy section of South Claiborne Avenue in New Orleans’ White Teapot. Michael and his roommate Bryce, both law students at Tulane, had Friday classes left before the weekend could...

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“Redemption” by Owen Stokes-Cawley

Submitted to Contest #209

James stared across the cold, dark room as Iron Vale inmate 33527 materialized from the portal. His leg emerged first from the semi-translucent plasma, his arm and the rest of his body followed. The inmate had only left through the portal seconds before. Time jumps were quick from this perspective but Iron Vale inmate 33527 had spent hours on the other side living in the past. The next minute would determine whether he completed redemption and became a free man or served two more years in the prison before trying again. Redemption was the on...

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“The Compass” by Allen Wilkinson

Submitted to Contest #209

What the he...?Andy looked around, bewildered. He didn’t recognize anything. That wouldn’t be nearly as disconcerting if he hadn’t known exactly where he was two minutes before. He’d hunted, hiked, hell, slept, in these woods since he was a child. He knew them like he knew his own living room. He habitually carried a compass in his gear though he never remembered using it in this place, at least not since he played with it as a kid. He pulled it out now.He'd been going east when he jumped the little stream.&nbsp...

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“Just Rumours” by Muhammad Ryan Hassan

Submitted to Contest #209

1.Mark had always loved travelling. One day, his thirst for adventure led to a strange journey coming to his mind. He planned to voyage directly through the Bermuda Triangle during his summer holidays. He felt that the ‘strange occurrences’ associated with the Triangle were merely misguided rumours. When he shared his plan with his friends, they told him this was too dangerous an idea and that he was being crazy. They also told him there was no point in taking this journey, but their concerns only solidified Mark’s resolve. Hence, he organ...

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“Not All Who Are Lost Need to Wander” by Daniel James

Submitted to Contest #209

It was a beautiful day, the sun warm on my skin, mostly clear save for a few puffs of clouds here and there, the air clean and sharp like the intake of fresh mountain air away or the first true breath you’re able to breathe after coming up from underwater. Sand squeezed between my toes bringing back memories of childhood with each grain, trips out with family, the boy thought was my first love, the man who was, and all the ones in between. &nb...

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“The Ghost Orchid” by Lisa Climenson

Submitted to Contest #209

My story begins with me peeking into a forest to check out a popular trail in Humboldt County, Northern California. The entrance was hidden by a hedge of young redwood trees planted by park volunteers. When I found the opening I poked my head inside and I was surprised to see that the forest interior looked dark on this sunny day. I saw a wide path disappearing into the dim interior. The forest was hushed and seemed empty of visitors. I felt daunted. Would I be reckless to explore this dark trail by myself? Comsi, comsa—this was what ...

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“The man at the gas statione” by Jelly 1010

Submitted to Contest #209

The chefs were being run ragged from fulfilling the orders that the servers kept bringing in. The hectic environment was a clear sign that no one in the kitchen staff was ready for the lunch rush: the loud banging, the immense heat from the fires coming from the stovetops. The questioning looks directed at the dishwashers that they needed to speed up as the cooks were running out of plates and the servers constantly demanded utensils. The dishwasher station was overwhelmed by the wave of used containers, and the piles on the racks were in da...

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“Running Dry (Or Maybe Just Running)” by Lukah Roser

Submitted to Contest #209

(Implied violence) The pump is dry—or broken. It has probably been that way for a long time. It is also quite possible, the man considers with some degree of annoyance, that it has never worked at all. That it has always existed in this state. One not unlike the town of its residence, or the land surrounding; empty, restful, wanting. He swears under his breath. He doesn’t typically enjoy doing so where the sun can see him, but his current situation certainly warrants it. He knows his car is on its last legs. The fuel light on hi...

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“Once I'm Found” by Nora Ophelia Malhearst

Submitted to Contest #209

The bell of the gas station tinkled as Peg entered, her Sadie Oxfords making no sounds against the linoleum flooring. From a corner of the counter, a fan valiantly exhausted air into the room, although the temperature still read 89.6°F. Outside, the concrete shimmered with heat. Right behind her were the twins. Hannah was still holding the door she’d pushed open, allowing Olivia to enter after Peg, and now, the three girls spilled into the store full of hunger. Hannah, in a modern version of the Y2K lumberjack fashion, was eager to pay ...

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$250

Prize money

273

Contest entries

154

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Aug 04, 2023 EST

Won by Kyle Sager 🏆

Title: The Driving Snow

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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